Mike,
My tests with the stock dometic in 110 degree weather were also dismal.
Over 60 degrees inside is not considered safe for some foods at all.
Plus when you open the door all the cold air falls out.

The best fridge I have found so far is the Engel
It will cool down to zero degrees F. even in 100 degree weather.
Its a top loader though.

You can read about them here.
https://www.expeditionexchange.com/engel/

The Engel 35 and 45 both use the new swing compressor technology
2.5 amps in freezer mode.
I did follow up with Vince about his purchase of the Engel 35 and he said
first impression was it was made way better than he thought and since then
he has been quite happy with it.

Doug
----- Original Message -----
From: "Michael Elliott" <j.michael.elliott@GMAIL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Tuesday, July 12, 2005 8:50 AM
Subject: About them Norcold refrigerators

> Our Dometic reefer is working just fine -- for an absorption
> refrigerator, that is. Working with all its might it achieves a good 40
> degree F differential between ambient (outside) temperature and inside
> temp. Which means that when it is 90F outside, the inside is 50F . . .
> not very cold at all.
>
> So I'm looking at the Norcold DC0040. I read Karl's article at
>
> http://www.members.shaw.ca/McTavishPAC/fridge/fridge.html
>
> and at time of writing, he was very happy with the results.
>
> And last year Vince S. expressed considerable enthusiasm for the
> Norcold's efficient Engel swing motor compressor design. I don't think
> he's posting right now, so I have not seen any followup from him on the
> subject.
>
> I'd like to hear from others who have gone the Norcold  route, like Karl
> did.
>
> NOTE: I am most interested in energy usage results in 90F+ weather.
>
> --
>
> Mike "Rocket J Squirrel" Elliott
> 71 Type 2: the Wonderbus
> 84 Westfalia: Mellow Yellow ("The Electrical Banana")
> Carlsbad, CA
> KG6RCR